By:Justicia Shipena
Namibia’s horticulture industry has been hit hard by a shortfall of potatoes during the first quarter of 2023.
According to industry reports, the potato crop yield has been significantly lower than expected, with an 8,579-tonne deficit.
Potatoes had a largest shortfall of 8,579 tonnes among horticulture goods during the first quarter of 2023.
This is according to First Capital Namibia in its food price monitor for April 2023 which showed activities of the fourth quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023.
Potatoes led the shortage list, followed by onions with a deficit of 2,044 tonnes, cabbages with a shortfall of 546 tonnes, and butternuts with a shortfall of 293 tonnes.
First Capital Namibia said the figures are exclusive of quantities of horticultural products imported.
“Notable price falls of 2% and 22% of onions and potatoes were recorded during the first quarter of 2023 in comparison to the last quarter of 2022,” the report stated.
First Capital Namibia said the rise in imports between December 2022 and January 2023 was forced by an 87% decrease in local output over the same period due to below-average rainfall in most parts of the nation.
In the meantime, the volume of imported wheat into Namibia plummeted by 69% and 30% month on month in January and February 2023, respectively.
“In the same way, the local output of wheat fell by 86 % in January 2023 from 3,475 tonnes recorded in December 2022 to 501 tons in January 2023,” the reportstated.
When it comes to meat, figures show that exports to South Africa have been declining over the years.
Namibia exported 45% of its goods to South Africa in 2019, but only 27% in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
In 2022, the European Union accounted for 45% of Namibia’s beef exports, followed by South Africa (21%), China (13%), and Norway (13% each).
Furthermore, meat exports from January to March 2022 and January to March 2023 demonstrate that China, the Republic of South Africa, the United Kingdom, Norway, and the European Union remained Namibia’s top export destinations during the period, despite considerable variations in the quantities exported.
“Most notably, exports to China and the EU increased from 15 to 17% and from 24 to 62 percent respectively while those to Norway and RSA fell from 29% to 2% and from 25% to 11%,” First Capital Namibiasaid.
The report also noted that food security and cost remain important concerns for Namibian consumers and government.
As food prices stay high and continue to rise, food production disruptions, rising interest rates, and a sinking currency make food imports more expensive, Namibians, according to the report, would have to brace themselves for difficult times ahead in the absence of government intervention.
Although First Capital Namibia can provide insights and forecasts based on historical data and current trends, it cautioned that the accuracy of these predictions is subject to unforeseen events such as natural disasters, political instability, or pandemics, which can affect global food and commodity prices and production.
First Capital in its report said, while global food and commodity prices and production outlook are uncertain, food prices are expected to remain high in 2023 as a result of rising global political tensions and the potential outbreak of another war, global food supply chain disruptions, rising input costs, trade restrictions, and weather-related events.
Potato Shortfall Leads Horticulture Industry’s 2023 First-Quarter Woes
